Tonka, one of my favorite sayings is “ACT,” not the national college exam, rather the acronym for “ALL COMING TOGETHER” and that’s exactly what is taking place this time of year.
From the many milestones that happen–concerts, prom, games, the final play–to GRADUATION on June 5. It can be a time of year that can feel frantic, but I would ask you to slow down, find the time, so as not to miss the importance of the connections you have with others.
If only there were a book that talked about this in a complete and concise way. Wait, there is a book I almost wrote called the POWER OF FIVE. Today, I would like to share some advice that should have appeared in this book. So, here are three themes from the book that will serve you well in life whether you are graduating in a few days or have several years left at MHS.
Never before are there more tools, apps, Netflix episodes that can grab your attention and distract you. Let the Power of Five mean the power of being in the moment so as not to miss things. Your ability to lock in and be present will allow you to avoid missing what matters–the people. Experience life through your own eyes–not through the lens of your phone. When all is said and done, people may or may not remember the words you speak, but they will remember you being present.
The second theme in the Power of Five is how you spend and start the first five minutes of your day. So, Tonka, how do you wake up in the morning when your alarm gives a warning? What do the first five minutes look like? I’ve learned, over time, that how you start your day matters. A couple years ago, I wrote a prequel to the Power of Five for the Writing Center about the importance of taking care of yourself first, before you can take care of others.
Now, this lesson took me over 20 years to figure out, I share as a full disclaimer. Over time, you will continue to find that different pulls on your time and the pace of life will only continue to accelerate. What I learned is that how you start the first minutes of your day–for me by exercising, reflecting, not looking at your phone–will shape and transform how your day proceeds, and help get you in the right mindset for what you will face. It has been the biggest game changer in my life.
Lastly, I would ask for the power of humor. A recent study showed that children laugh many times during a day–approximately beyond 140 times–while adults laugh not more than 10 times a day. Humor that produces genuine laughter is one of the most important gifts you can use to spread joy and hope for others. The impact of humor is profound. It breaks the tension, allows for the power of pause, and provides relief. Tonka, you’ve made me laugh–don’t lose it. So, take note Tonka, of the power of five and the impact it can have on you and those around you. CONGRATS to all on your end of the year!
